Bahrainis sees new ray of hope

Manama, March 19, 2011

Bahrain's citizens and residents are seeing a new ray of hope that things are back to normal, His Majesty King Hamad said last night. They have started feeling confident that safety and livelihoods will be secure, and wounds will heal, he said.

He was speaking as he received, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, Shura Council chairman Ali Saleh Al Saleh and members.

Unity among people is crucial to restore stability, His Majesty said. He said sectarian tension is alien to Bahrain, a nation known for its tolerance and peaceful co-existence.

Muslims from various sects have lived together in harmony and for centuries in Bahrain, a country open to all religions and sects, His Majesty said.

"Accordingly, we must all not allow the breach of civil peace or anybody to put civil peace at risk or to tamper with the lives of citizens and residents or to target public or private property."

His Majesty said that he will not allow the reform programme he launched to be stalled or to come to an end. "Doors are wide open for all issues and topics that will benefit our beloved nation."

His Majesty thanked GCC leaders for sending the Peninsula Shield forces to contribute to Bahrain's defence requirements. The move embodies the spirit of the single Gulf family, His Majesty said.

It is also an implementation of the joint defence agreements between the GCC countries, he added.

His Majesty stressed that the units were not in Bahrain to take part in preserving internal order, as the Peninsula Shield force was formed for the general defence of any GCC country.-TradeArabia News Service